Page 2 of skibum Travel Blog Posts


Asia » Japan » Kyoto December 27th 2011

We checked out of the Weekly Green at Namba in Osaka. We were really getting comfortable there and we had 5 meals in our kitchenette so that was sure handy. We took the train to Kyoto, about a 1 hr. trip and found that our hotel was only a half block from the station so that was really nice. We are staying at Village Kyoto, a Japanese style hotel (Ryokan) and our room is very contemp with tatami floors and futons. You sit on the futons and then fold them out to beds and add lots of padding and comforters. Super comfy to sleep on and they have a nice onsen bath here that we are enjoying. During the day Wednesday we met up with Toshiko (Beth's host mom) and her granddaughter Shiori and we visited ... read more
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Rain catcher for decoration

Asia » Japan » Osaka December 26th 2011

We got a slow start in the morning knowing that we had laundry to do first off. We cooked eggs, ate left over sushi, and yogurt for breakfast. It was a bright sunny morning and as we walked to the laundromat (itty-bitty laundromat) and the machines were tiny, they almost looked like toy machines. We noted many more businesses open and street workers as today was a working day. The city had a crew of four painters, and two supervisors wearing bright flourescent green vests, painting green areas on the sides of our street with white lines. One supervisor to two workers, just like America. I think the uniformed supervisors were there to keep bicyclists off the fresh paint, as they seem to zig-zag to any convenient part of the street to avoid people and cars. ... read more
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Asia » Japan » Osaka December 25th 2011

Christmas Day! We brought a few supplies and gifts to Beth so she unwrapped her gifts, including one from Luke and one from Jay and Linda and Grandma. We had breakfast in our room with groceries we bought at the grocery store that kinda looks like a casino from the outside with all the neon lights. We headed out on foot to Dotomboro shopping area. It is the crowded shopping district where most people shop with a riverwalk and plenty of restaurants and night life. It is basically an open street with outside entrances that were covered with a roof that stretches for blocks. We will probably return there tonight to eat. Large plastic and fiberglass sculptures advertise above restaurant entries like giant crabs, a steer, octupi, and some little horned red guy for hot food. ... read more
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Asia » Japan December 24th 2011

We arrived in Japan on Dec 23rd, Beth met as at the airport as planned and we took the train to Namba, which is in Osaka. It was about 2 in the morning for us when we got off the train. We headed in the opposite direction of our hotel by mistake so we wandered about for about 30 mins with luggage in tow before we found the hotel (with some help from a very nice Japanese man that has GPS on his smart phone.) The people are super friendly and helpful here. The cute older gentleman at the front desk of our hotel literally start running around when I asked for towels. They can't help you enough or quickly enough and they don't even accept tips! It would be rude to tip here, the custom ... read more
Grocery store next to our hotel
Namba
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